Chris Young

Will Buckley will formally join Leeds United on a three-month loan next week, while Sheffield Wednesday are keen on Sunderland striker Danny Graham.

Buckley has not been involved in the first-team picture at Sunderland all season, with Dick Advocaat making it clear to the winger that he is not part of his plans after attempts to offload him during the summer came to nought.

Buckley’s loan will not be rubber-stamped until next week, to allow him to remain at Elland Road until January.

Sunderland have been in talks with Leeds for several weeks over Buckley and after a breakthrough in those negotiations, the 25-year-old will begin training with the Championship outfit tomorrow.

But Buckley’s loan will not be rubber-stamped until next week, to allow him to remain at Elland Road until January.

There has been plenty of Championship interest in Buckley this summer - 12 months after he joined Sunderland in a £2.5million deal - yet the stumbling block for many suitors proved to be the ex-Brighton’s winger salary, even though he is far from one of the Black Cats’ top earners.

But with Sunderland coughing up a percentage of Buckley’s wages, an agreement has finally been reached with Leeds to offload one of the pieces of dead-wood at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats still keen to find new clubs for Liam Bridcutt, Valentin Roberge and Charis Mavrias.

Danny Graham does not fall into that category, yet Sheffield Wednesday - linked with the 30-year-old in weekend reports - want the striker and are prepared to cover his wages on loan.

Sunderland would allow Graham to join Wednesday with his opportunities likely to be limited with the Black Cats and fellow striker Steven Fletcher remaining at the Stadium of Light after the transfer deadline.

But the decision will rest with the ex-Swansea frontman himself, with Advocaat happy to let him remain part of the first-team squad if he decides against moving to Hillsborough.